SIGNS OF CLOWNFISH SPAWNING?

[fishfinatic]

Hello,
I have 2 true percs currently in a 10g, all water parameters are well, however my two clowns have been showing weird signs, my female with the incomplete band has a big belly and is occasionally nipping at my male. They’re paired and honestly happy from what I can tell, however they both have a little brown spike coming out of their lower abdomen or anus I guess. I’ll provide a pic. I was just curious if I should be expecting fry, or are my fish potentially sick? Female has been pooing white string and has been laying in the anemone most often, male is swimming around the tank occasionally stirring sand. They both come up to greet me when I offer food and will eat.

If you look closely you can see the brown spike in both of them. Thanks!

here’s a pic of her poo rn

 

[ichthyogeek]

Have they started nipping at any specific points in the tank and/or started defending that area from other tankmates?

 

[fishfinatic]

Have they started nipping at any specific points in the tank and/or started defending that area from other tankmates?

Haven’t noticed them picking at any points yet, occasionally the male will twitch and maybe check out the live rock, but for the most part they’re just swimming. I have one spotted mandarin, but when he gets close they don’t seem to mind him

 

[ichthyogeek]

Seems like you jumped the gun then on thinking they’ll give you babies in the near future. Although you might want to post in the fish disease forum for help with diagnosing any potential illnesses...

 

[ReefRondo]

The high speed twitching / juddering is a good indicator of breeding behaviour. They will meticulously clean a spot on a rock, tank wall or ornament for laying and fertilising their eggs.

 

[maroun.c]

Cleaning a specific site non stop most of the day is typically the best sign. The aggression and one nipping the other which goes into submissive shaking is a good sign of pairing but not necessarily a sign of a coming spawn. They take time to mature and start spawning even if mated.